The Song Only I Can Hear and The Child In Our Teacher

The Song Only I Can Hear
The Box By The Door

Love Today
Yesterday's Pain

by Cal


He came to me in my hour of need. He accepted things that others couldn’t find. He loves those parts of me that I almost left behind.

Finally before walking out the door for my last good-by. I’ll leave the box by the door. Even the picture; me in a white dress, he in a tux. The one with a broken glass. (At least I’d had the restraint to put the others up before the rage.)

Others didn’t know how to find that place, but it was always there wrapped up in pretty lace.

She glanced one last time. She looked around the house they’d shared. The guitar was propped up by the box. (She remembers going in debt for it. It had to be a twelve string, it was four hundred dollars more than a six but he had to have it.)

He found it silently and he made it whole. He unwrapped it tenderly, he found my inner soul.

She looked in the mirror and put on her sun glasses. She glanced back. She had seen the black eyes. Was this really his last revenge? She thought he had done that at the hospital when he’d begged her for forgiveness. She, of course, forgave him, what else could she do? His girlfriend and his little boy waited in the car.

He plays a song for me
that only I can hear

(It was fun at first, he’d always dedicate his
songs to me.)

He touches me inside
he makes it very clear

(It was unnerving, he seemed to know what a woman
wanted. He said all the things that made me believe
again.)


He does those special things
that only he can know

(He brought me flowers every week and a watermelon
when I was pregnant in Feb.)

He makes my eyes light up,
the mirror to my soul.

(He was so good with the kids, it touched me deeply
after my first marriage.)

He’ll bring that special light
he makes me want to live

(i>(He gave me a baby and once again, all was good at home.)

It takes a special man
to touch that place for me

(I had become untrusting of any man BUT with his
songs and the kids, he removed it.)

He is that special man
that only he can be.

(He worked, he drove the kids to school,
he listened to me, he helped me and we created a home.)

He is my partner now
he helps me find my way

(Two words and we were one.)
(He hugged me when I raged and saw only the good,
till the fateful day in March, 1987.)

He sees that part of me
that makes me want to stay.

(He left me when his brother died. He physically
stayed but he was gone and I didn’t know.)

I want to let him know
the way he makes me feel

(He needed to get help. It turned to rage,
we fought, he watched violence on tv and
movies more and more as if a need had to be fulfilled.)

I want to tell him so
it is so very real.

(I wanted him to know how it hurt, I wanted
him to feel my pain.

I want to give to him
the things he gives to me

He took my son and went to Ca,

The special gift he gives
the light he sees in me.

how could he do it? Was he angry for my leaving???)
(He sees the light in our son that once he saw in me.)

The burning light
Kindles deeply in my soul.

The passion sparks so bright
It’s our Creator’s loving goal.

I’ll put the box in the car when I get back from the
service. I’ll take the pictures and the memories
and that damn guitar and I’ll leave it at Goodwill.

Finally, I don’t have to worry that he’ll miss those
things. After the pillow incident and involvement
of my son in the abuse, I can put it aside. (I’ll speak
with his girlfriend and she can deal with
the rest. I don’t want any part of it.)

Now all I have to do is forgive myself. When that
is done, I’ll go forward with my head held high.
First things first. Her little boy and my son,
we’ll walk in together, the four of us...... how
strange this world becomes as we live life and
journey to our next step.



The Child In Our Teacher
2003


Michael's body language exudes happiness when he takes center stage.
He invites his audience to join with him on a trip of teaching, of joy, and of learning.
His boyish good looks appear to be enhanced tremendously when he shares his openness and his childlike sense of adventure.
His sparkling wonderful blue eyes speak volumes as he presents his excitement to the class.
If I could write a scene to display Michael's presence in class, it would be of a little boy in a candy shop.

........
The little boy walks into the candy store having never tasted candy before.
He sees all of the bright vivid colors and all of the different shapes. He smiles openly, as if embarking on a trip of a life time.
He intuitively knows that every candy he will taste today will be exquisite.

The lemon, the cherry, the raspberry and the chocolate will be savored if only for one moment in eternity. (Not to worry, Michael knows that one instance often times is that treasured memory, later cherished. He seems to hesitate before indulging. He knows full well that he is going to taste a bit of heaven today.)
He glances around and even though the candy is already paid for, he sneaks a lick of the lemon drop. Ummmm, the lick is so simply lemon ....but delicious. He closes his eyes and licks it again. Yes, it is scrumptious.

He opens his empty plastic bag. He slowly peaks around and slips the licked lemon drop back into the bag.
Next, he decides on the cherry licorice. He looks at it and he squeezes it to see what the texture is like. He wants to remember this day forever. After all, there aren't many boys who have to wait till they are five to have a taste of CANDY.
Once again, Michael looks around as if it's forbidden to bite off a bit of the bright red cherry licorice. He bites down and closes his eyes as he chews. He then hurriedly munches the whole piece. His mood has changed from that first moment he tasted the lemon drop.

His fingers are sticky now but that doesn't stop him. He slowly opens the chocolate bar. The chocolate melts a bit on his hand as he pulls it completely out of the wrapper. He sneaks a peek around the store. Nobody is watching, he licks the dark spot on his finger. Ummmmmm, THAT is ummm, so good. He takes a bite of the bar and he is suddenly ecstatic and cannot wait to gobble down the rest of this new found taste. He will still have another chocolate bar after this one is eaten so, he bites off another tasty bite and then he closes his eyes and slowly and deliberately eats the remainder.
........

This is what Michael shares with his students. He shares a sense of adventure in his journey and he welcomes his students to join him in his quest for knowledge.

If you are lucky enough to be a participant in Michael's trip, you will receive acceptance, love, and a sense of safety. Even the smallest candy; the pop rock, is treasured for it's snappy uniqueness.